Birth control valve

ABSTRACT

In combination with a tube within a mammal which when opened is necessary to effect reproduction and when closed effects sterilization, a valve to be located within the tube which can be selectively opened and closed.

United States Patent 1151 3,704,704

Gonzales 1 Dec, 5,1972

1541 BIRTH CONTROL VALVE 3,613,661 10/1971 Shah ..128/1R 72 Inventor:Ramon L. Gonzales, 242 willow 3,409,913 11/1968 Kantrowitz et a1..128/334C Crest Avenue, Apt A, North 3,042,021 7/1962 Read ..12s/1 RHollywood Calif: 91 0 3,484,121 12/1969 Quinton ..285/26O X [22] Filed:Oct. 12, 1970 Appl. No.: 79,738

U.S. Cl ..l28/l R, 128/274, 251/309, 251/314, 285/260, 285/247 Int. Cl...A6lb 19/00 Field of Search ..l28/l R, 303 R, 274, 247; 1 251/309, 314;285/260, 247

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,858,054 10/1932 Miller..128/229 Primary Examiner-Dalton L. Truluck Att0rneyJack C. MunroABSTRACT In combination with a tube within amammal which when opened isnecessary to effect reproduction and when closed effects sterilization,a valve to be located within the tube which can be selectively openedand closed.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures BIRTH CONTROL VALVE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Within the past few years a problem of major proportion hasbeen over population. This problem of over population of human beings isof world wide magnitude. This overpopulation problem, it is believed bymany, if not checked within the next decade or two, will result in aproblem of catastrophic proportions. The proponents, who are mostconcerned about the over population problem, believe that it will benecessary to effect widespread sterilization of people to insure thatthe population will be controlled within certain limits.

Within the past few years, in an effort to avoid widespreadsterilization, there has been many programs instituted by governmentsand concerned organizations toward educating the general public on birthcontrol. Generally this form of education is frequently referred to asfamily planning. This family planning varies in that people are educatedto a great many different types of devices which can be employed toeffect birth *control. These birth control devices range fromprophylactics, interuterine devices, birth control pills and the like.

Presently, the most common form of birth control has been the taking, bythe female of the species, of a birth control pill. Basically, the birthcontrol pill changes the hormone balance within the female, such hormonebalance not permitting the female to become pregnant. However, withinrecent years, much concern has arisen over the use of the pill. Manywomen have mental problems such as a change in their personality by thetaking of such pills. Further, some women incur physical problems suchas blood clots. Additionally, it is possible that such pills may cause atendency for females to easily contact cancer in their later years.

As a result of the well publicized problems with the pill, a great manywomen have decided not to use the pill as a method of birth control. Theother known physical devices which are useable for birth control aredangerous in that there are a high percentage of failures in suchdevices thereby resulting in the woman becoming pregnant. Therefore,more and more people are turning to surgical methods of birth controlsuch as vasectomies for the male and the tieing of the fallopian tubesfor the female. However, such surgical operations, in the majority ofcases, are not capable of being reversed. Chance for future pregnancy isabsolutely precluded.

A great number of people may have one or two children within the firstyears of marriage and find it undesirable to have additional babieswithin the next few years. If the couple does not want to take a chancein the having of additional children immediately, the only birth controlmethod which is safe that is open to them relates to the surgicalmethod. Further, the easiest person to operate upon is the male, ashospitalization is not usually required, where it is required whenoperating upon the female. Therefore, the male obtains a vasectomy whichusually means that the couple can not ever have future children.

Frequently, in such cases, five or ten years later, the couple may findit desirable to again have a child. Since the male has had a vasectomy(or the female has had her fallopian tubes tied), the couple is notcapable of having future children of their own. If there was a way inwhich this surgical procedure could be reversed at such a period oftime, such would be of primary advantage to such couples.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a valve which is tobeinserted within either the fallopian tubes of the female or the vasdeferens of the male. The valve is to take the place of the surgicalprocedure effecting permanent tieing of the fallopian tubes or permanentcutting of the vas deferens. The valve is to be composed of identicalsections which are to be attached to a valve spool. The fallopian tubesor the vas deferens are to be cut with the separate portions of the tubeinserted within a-section of the valve. Each section includes structureto securely retain the portion of the cut tube. Each of the sections ofthe valve are then securely attached to the valve spool. The valve spoolmay be completely closed so as to preclude passage of either the spermof the male or the egg of the female through thetube, or the valve spoolmay be open if desired. The valve spool may also include a rotaryelement which can be selectively moved to either the closed or openposition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectionalview through the valve of this invention showing the valve as it wouldbe installed within a tubing with the valve spool preventing passagethrough the tubing;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view through one of the identical sectionsof the valve of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of the valve of this invention similar to FIG. 1 butshowing the valve spool having a'longitu dinal opening therethrough topermit passage of fluid through the tube;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the incorporation of arotatable element within the valve spool which is capable of beingselectively moved to either the open or closed position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 taken along line 6- 6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the rotatable valve spoolin the open position;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but taken along line 88 of FIG. 7;and

FIG. 9 is a view of the head of the rotatable element of the valve spooltaken along line 9--9 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOWN EMBODIMENT and the second cylinder 20being'concentrically spaced inwardly from the periphery of the mainportion 22.

The section 12 comprises an internal sleeve 24 and a threaded cap 26.The section 14 also comprises an internal sleeve 28 and a threaded cap30. Each of the internal sleeves 24 and 28 have a respective centrallongitudinal opening 32 and 34, respectively. Each of the internalsleeves 24 and 28 are substantially cylindricaltubular in configuration.

Adjacent the inward end of each of the internal sleeves 24 and 28 is athreaded recess 36 and 38, respectively. Threaded recess 36 is tomatingly cooperate with the threads formed upon the second externallythreaded cylinder 20. Threaded recess 38 is to matingly cooperate aboutthe threaded portion of the first cylinder 18. The threaded cap 26 is tobe threadingly secured about the periphery of internal sleeve 24.Threaded cap 30 is to be threadingly secured about the periphery ofinternal sleeve 28.

The forward end of the internal sleeve 24 includes a tubular extension40 having an annular shaped raised portion42 integrally connectedthereto. The forward end of internal sleeve 28 includes a similarextension 44 and a similar raised portion 46 connected thereto, Locatedaft of the raised portion 42 is an annular groove 48. Also located'aftraised portion 46is an annular groove 50. The function of theannulargrooves 48 and 50 will be explained further on in the specification.

The forward end of the threaded cap 46 is formed into a resilient collar52. Also, the forward end of the threaded cap 30 is formed into aresilient collar 54. It is to be noted that the collars 52 and 54 resultin an opening which is of a smaller diameter than the internal openingof the main portion of its respective threaded cap. The function of eachof the collars 52 and 54 will be explained further on in thespecification.

It is to be noted that the threaded caps 26 and 30 are identical inconstruction as well as the internal sleeves 24 and 28 being identicalin construction. The main portion of the threaded caps 26 and 30 are tobe formed of a substantially rigid plastic material with the collars 52and 54 formed of a more resilient plastic material. Similarly, the mainportion of the internal sleeves 24 and 28 are formed of a rigid plasticmaterial with the forward portion thereof adjacent raised portions 42and 46 being formed of a more resilient plastic.

To install the sections 12 and 14, the installer, normally a medicaldoctor, proceeds as follows: After making the normal surgical incisionto obtain access to either the fallopian tubes of the female or the vasdeferens of the male, the doctor then cutsthe appropriate tube in half.The installer'then places upon one of the separated ends of the tube 56and slides therealong the threaded cap 26. The installer then places theend of the tube 56 about extension 40, over the raised portion 42 andwithinannular' groove 48. The installer then grasps the threaded cap 26and effects threading of such upon internal sleeve 24. The cap 26 isthreaded upon internal sleeve 24 until the aft end of the threaded cap26 is in alignment with the aft end of the internal sleeve 24. Theportion of the internal sleeve adjacent groove 48 is slightly compressedabout extension 40 thereby effecting a binding action upon the end oftube 56.This binding action is in the aft direction of raised portion42. Also, upon the tightening of threaded cap 26, the resilient collar52 effects a resilient compression about the tube 56 forwardly of theraised portion 42. It is to be noted that if installed properly, thedual binding action of the.

threaded cap 26 about the internal sleeve 25 with the tube '56 locatedtherebetween is sufficient to effect adequate retention of the tube 56but not sufficient so as to shut off blood circulation within the tube56. Such is an important feature of this invention as it would beundesirable for the end of the tube 56 to die.

The procedure for the installation of the threaded cap 30 about theinternal sleeve 28 is identical to the foregoing except with theinstallation of such being on the other end of the tube 56.

Upon the sections 12 and 14 being so installed, th installer can theninstall different valve spools 16 according to the option of thepatient. For example, if it is desired that the patient be permanentlyclosed, the valve spool 16 of FIG. 1 could be employed, which when incooperation with recesses 36 and 38, prevents passage of any matter fromone end of tube 56 to the other end of tube 56. If the patient desiresthat flow be permitted from one end of tube 56 to the other end of tube56, the valve spool 16 within FIG. 3 .of the drawings can be employedwherein the longitudinal opening 58 is located within the valve spool16. It is to be noted that, if the patient some years before had had thevalve spool of FIG. 1 installed, in another operation at a later timethe sections 12 and 14 can be removed from the valve of FIG. 1 with thevalve spool of FIG. 3 being installed. By such a procedure the patientnow would no longer be sterile but would be capable of reproduction.

If the patient so desires, the valve spool 16 of FIGS. 5 and 7 of thedrawing couldbe employed wherein a rotatable valve element 60 isemployed in conjunction with the valve spool 16. Rotatablevalve element60 includes a slotted head 62 and a transverse opening 64 substantiallyat the midpoint of the longitudinal length of the element 60. The valvespool 16 of FIGS. 5 and 7 is basically similar to the valve spool ofFIG. 3 in that a longitudinal opening 66 is formed within the valvespool. A plurality of seals 68 are to be located between the mainportion 22 of the valve spool 16 and the rotatableelement 60. It is thefunction of the seals to prevent passage of fluid along the surface ofthe valve element exteriorly of the valve 10. I

If the patient decides to employ the use of the valve spool of FIGS. 5and 7 of the drawing,.the patient can initially select either the openor closed position upon installation. The valve spool 16 of FIGS. 5 and7 is installed in the same way as previously described. However, withthe rotatable element 60 being positioned as shown in FIG. 5 of thedrawing, wherein the opening 64 is located substantially at a rightangle to the access of opening 66, no passage of matter can resultbetween one end of tube 56 to the other end of tube 56. In essence, inthis position, the patient is now sterile and not capable ofreproduction.

Let it be assumed that the patient remains sterile for a period ofseveral years. Now let it also be assumed that the patient desires tohave another child. The patient then need only to contact his doctor andindicate such a desire to the doctor. The doctor need only perform asmall surgical incision in the area of the valve 10. A special tool isthen to be inserted through the incision and in cooperative relationwith the slotted head 62. The doctor then need only rotate rotatableelement 60 90 causing an alignment of openings 64 and 66. Therefore,conductance of matter is to be permitted from one end of tube 56 to theother end of tube 56. If at some future date the patient again decidesto become sterile, a repeat of the procedure need only incur with therotatable element 60 again being rotated 90 so as to locate opening 64at a right angle with respect to opening 66.

Numerous modifications could be employed within the scope of thisinvention by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, although thetube restraining section including the use of raised portions 42 and 46has been found to be most satisfactory in restraining of tube 56, it isenvisioned by Applicant that numerous other such tube restraining meanscould be employed which will not cause the tube to die. Further, theemployment of seals 68 in conjunction with the rotatable valve element60 may be avoided with a minor modification of the cooperativerelationship between the valve element 60 and the main portion 22 of thevalve spool 16. Further, the slotted head 62 may be readily changed to apolygonal shaped protrusion. It happens to be that the inventor believesthat a protrusion would be more likely to cause injury to adjacenttissue than a slot.

lt is also to be within the scope of this invention to effect rotationof the element 60 exteriorly of the body, in other words, not requiringan incision. This may be accomplished by magnetically polarizing element60 prior to installation. The rotation of element 60 would beaccomplished by particular location and movement of a magnetic fieldexteriorly of the body. Verification of movement of element 60 can bechecked by means of X-ray. It is believed that numerous othermodifications could readily be employed by one of ordinary skill in theart. Therefore, limitation of Applicants invention is to only he in viewof a fair and just interpretation of the following claims.

I claim:

I. A birth control valve to be connected between first and secondsegments of a severed flesh tube, said valve comprising:

a valve spool, said spool being constructed such that means are providedwhereby alternate opening or closing of flow through said flesh tube canbe accomplished;

a first section removably connected by first attachment means to saidvalve spool, said first section including a first internal sleeve and afirst cap, said first internal sleeve having a first elongated openingtherethrough, said first internal sleeve having a first connection meanswhich is adapted tobe located within the first segment of the severedflesh tube whereby the tube opening communicates with said firstelongated opening, said first cap surroundingly removably connected tosaid second internal sleeve; and

a second section removably connected by a second attachment means tosaid valve spool, said second section including a second internal sleeveand a second ca said second internal sleeve having a second e ongatedopening therethrough, said second internal sleeve having a secondconnection means which is adapted to be located within the secondsegment of the severed flesh tube whereby the tube opening communicateswith said second elongated opening, said second cap surroundinglyremovably connected to said second internal sleeve. 1 2. A birth controlvalve as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first section is substantially identical to said second section. 3.A birth control valve as defined in claim 2 wherein:

each of said caps being movable with respect to its respective saidinternal sleeve between a retaining position and a non-retainingposition, said retaining position providing the connection to thesevered flesh tube. I 4. A birth control valve as defined in claim 3wherein:

said cap being capable of being physically separated from said internalsleeve when in said'non-retaining position. 5. A birth control valve asdefined in claim 3 wherein:

each of said first and said second internal sleeves includes anextension, each of said first and second connection means comprising anannular raised portion upon said extension. 6. A birth control valve asdefined in claim 5 wherein:

the forward end of each of said first and second caps having a resilientcollar, with said cap in said retaining position said collar cooperatingto bind said tube toward the front end of said raised portion. 7. Abirth control valve as defined in claim 6 wherein:

with a said cap in said retaining position a second area of bindingoccurs adjacent the aft end of said raised portion. 8. A birth controlvalve as defined in claim 1 wherein;

said valve spool includes a rotatable element movable between an openposition and a closed position, said open position permitting passage ofmatter from between said first and said second elongated openings, saidclosed position not permitting passage of matter between said first andsecond elongated openings. 9. A birth control valve as defined in claim1 wherein:

said first and said second attachment means each comprising an assemblyof screw threads.

1. A birth control valve to be connected between first and secondsegments of a severed flesh tube, said valve comprising: a valve spool,said spool being constructed such that means are provided wherebyalternate opening or closing of flow through said flesh tube can beaccomplished; a first section removably connected by first attachmentmeans to said valve spool, said first section including a first internalsleeve and a first cap, said first internal sleeve having a firstelongated opening therethrough, said first internal sleeve having afirst connection means which is adapted to be located within the firstsegment of the severed flesh tube whereby the tube opening communicateswith said first elongated opening, said first cap surroundinglyremovably connected to said second internal sleeve; and a second sectionremovably connected by a second attachment means to said valve spool,said second section including a second internal sleeve and a second cap,said second internal sleeve having a second elongated openingtherethrough, said second internal sleeve having a second connectionmeans which is adapted to be located within the second segment of thesevered flesh tube whereby the tube opening communicates with saidsecond elongated opening, said second cap surroundingly removablyconnected to said second internal sleeve.
 2. A birth control valve asdefined in claim 1 wherein: said first section is substantiallyidentical to said second section.
 3. A birth control valve as defined inclaim 2 wherein: each of said caps being movable with respect to itsrespective said internal sleeve between a retaining position and anon-retaining position, said retaining position providing the connectionto the severed flesh tube.
 4. A birth control valve as defined in claim3 wherein: said cap being capable of being physically separated fromsaid internal sleeve when in said non-retaining position.
 5. A birthcontrol valve as defined in claim 3 wherein: each of said first and saidsecond internal sleeves includes an extension, each of said first andsecond connection means comprising an annular raised portion upon saidextension.
 6. A birth control valve as defined in claim 5 wherein: theforward end of each of said first and second caps having a resilientcollar, with said cap in said retaining position said collar cooperatingto bind said tube toward the front end of said raised portion.
 7. Abirth control valve as defined in claim 6 wherein: with a said cap insaid retaining position a second area of binding occurs adjacent the aftend of said raised portion.
 8. A birth control valve as defined in claim1 wherein: said valve spool includes a rotatable element movable betweenan open position and a closed position, said open position permittingpassage of matter from between said first and said second elongatedopenings, said closed position not permitting passage of matter betweensaid first and second elongated openings.
 9. A birth control valve asdefined in claim 1 wherein: said first and said second attachment meanseach comprising an assembly of screw threads.